Best Rated Memory Foam Mattresses - 2017 Reviews

In this post, we’re on a mission to find the best memory foam mattress available in 2017. Nothing beats the soft, supportive feel of memory foam. It molds around your body to create greater cushioning and support. Many people also find this mattress type increases the quality of their sleep and reduces pressure on the hips, neck and shoulders.

Deciding which to buy is made even more confusing by the variation in memory foam quality. There are a number of properties that affect how it feels and reacts. These include density, temperature response and hardness. It also varies in durability.

To help you make a decision, we put together this easy to use buyer’s guide. Listed below are the main considerations when choosing a memory foam mattress, including density, ILD, durability and thickness.

Choosing The Right Memory Foam Mattress

Aside from the technical specifications, some brands just feel more comfortable than others. This could be for several reasons and it can be hard to guess from the product’s statistics alone. Online reviews from buyers are often the best indicator of comfort.

Sinking into your mattress is one of the most relaxing ways to end the day, choosing a one can be considerably more stressful. The material was originally developed for NASA, but today many companies manufacture new mattresses using the material. The large number of potential options can make choosing difficult.

Here’s an overview of the main factors you should consider before making your purchase.

The Density

Its density is measured in pounds per cubic feet. The density of it is one of the most important properties, as if affects both the feel and durability. Most have a density between 2-5 lb, but more expensive models can have densities up to 7 lb or higher.

The higher the density the longer it holds a shape. Low-density memory foam beds often can’t hold an impression long enough to provide the benefits of higher quality brands.

A higher density options are usually more expensive, but they are not always more comfortable. Those with densities higher than 6 lb provide more support, but are slower to react to movement. Some people find this uncomfortable, as the memory foam retains its shape even when you try to move position.

For most people, a mattress density of 3lb, 4lb or 5lb is usually best. These densities are high enough for it to retain an impression, but not so high that the mattress doesn’t change as you move.

Affordable mattresses often have dense memory foam for the first few inches but inferior foam throughout the rest of it. Make sure that you know the density composition before you decide to buy a mattress pad.

Indentation Load Deflection (ILD)

All memory foam mattresses have an ILD rating. This measures how much force is required to make the mattress deform. ILD is closely related to density but is dependent on other factors, so it’s rated separately. The higher the ILD, the firmer it is.

Most have an ILD rating of 10-20. Instead of a single number, they are usually labeled with an ILD range. This is because there can be variation in how a mattress reacts depending on how it has been stored.

As a general rule, higher ILD ratings indicate better quality. This doesn’t always mean that higher ILD mattresses are more comfortable though. It is not unheard of for ones with a higher ILD to be given worse reviews when compared to a lower rated ILD score.

Which Type?

There are three main types of memory foam: plant-based, traditional and gel-infused. All types of provide pressure relief and deform to create an impression while sleeping. Aside from these basic properties, there are some important differences.

Traditional is the most popular type. While many people the love traditional material, some people find it too hot. It is also the slowest to respond to movement.

Plant-based is designed to be environmentally friendly. They are made from plant-based foam are faster to contour to your body shape and also don’t contain potentially toxic gasses. The downside is that plant-based style is often harder to find and more expensive.

Gel-infused has an average response time that’s faster than traditional but slower than plant-based. Gel-infused products usually doesn’t retain as much heat as traditional, making it a breathable and cooler option.

The best type depends on your personal requirements. If you often find yourself overheating while sleeping, gel-infused is probably the best choice. If you prefer slower contouring material, then traditional is an excellent option.

Durability

High-quality gel top mattresses are expensive and should be considered a long-term investment. For this reason, it’s vital to find a good quality mattress that is durable and likely to last a long time.

Some manufacturers provide data on how their mattress performs over extended time periods. Others will provide an overview of their research into durability. If a brand manufacturer provides this information, make sure you read it carefully before buying.

In most cases, a higher density model will be more durable. This is assuming that all the material is high density, rather than just the first inch or two.

Other Considerations

How comfortable is it? The comfort is often subjective, but it’s still important to research before you buy. Every manufacturer claims that their ‘s are comfortable, so the best way to judge comfort is to read user reviews.

How high is it? Most are around ten inches high, but only the top three or four inches are memory foam. The rest of it is often made from regular mattress material. As long as the layer is at least three or four inches thick, it will provide the full benefits of the material. If it is thinner than three inches the mattress probably won’t provide the same level of comfort – but will also be cheaper.

Where was it manufactured? Those made outside of Western countries such as Canada, US and UK are usually not subjected to the same quality testing. This can make it difficult to judge the quality of a mattress before buying.

Do you need a topper? You may get similar benefits from buying a memory foam topper (read our guide) that’s three or four inches thick. If you are going to replace your’s, then it’s a better choice.

Does it come with a long-term warranty? Most have a warranty that lasts a minimum of five years. A denser model will typically have a longer warranty. It’s important to read the warranty carefully. Some warranties require that the mattress is covered with a waterproof protector at all times.

Can kids have memory foam? Generally, yes, it’s safe for children to sleep on this style of mattress. However, if you have a baby who sleeps in a crib, we don’t recommend it. If you do have a baby then check out our crib mattress buyer’s guide.

The Advantages

These memory foam mattresses can dramatically improve your sleep quality and eve your health. If you often feel tired, or regularly wake up throughout the night, then it can be a potential solution.

Better Sleep Quality

People who sleep on a memory foam mattress typically sleep better – especially if they sleep in the same memory foam bed as a partner (queen or king size). This is because there is no movement from springs, resulting in fewer disturbances. If your partner drives you mad by constantly tossing and turning, you’ll love it!

People also tend to move around much less, which increases sleep quality. Even if you sleep on your own (single or twin), it can help you to wake up feeling refreshed.

Reduced Pressure

A traditional spring mattress creates pressure points. These are usually located beneath the heaviest parts of the body, such as the hips, and are the reason people often wake up stiff and in pain. It spreads the weight of the body evenly – providing extra comfort (luxury models) and reduced stiffness.

Maintain Spine Alignment

Unlike regular mattresses, which are harder and don’t deform as much, a good quality model always shapes to fit the spine. This allows for a more neutral spinal position and is one of the reasons why it’s is a popular choice for people with back pain which is good for their health.

Top 5 Picks - Our Reviews

1. Perfect Cloud Atlas Gel-Plus

The Perfect Cloud Atlas is a top quality (top rated) gel-infused mattress that is designed to be “just right” for almost any sleeper. The top layer is three inches of gel-infused “awesomeness”. The second layer is three inches of comfort padding for increased airflow and cooling. Finally, there is a four-inch support foam layer for additional cooling and stability. It also comes with a “soft-touch” cover and a 25-year warranty.

It has received strong reviews from consumers. Most of them say that it doesn’t transmit any movement. Other positive comments include that it is cool and breathable, comfortable and provides support for the neck and back.

While the Perfect Cloud Atlas provides great value for money (luxury), the three inches of cooling gel may not provide the same level of comfort as mattresses with four inches. Despite this, it provides an extremely relaxing night’s sleep. This is backed up by glowing reviews from buyers.

2. Brentwood 9” Gel-Infused

The Brentwood 9” is a medium-firm option that provides a cool, comfortable night’s sleep. The top two inches are made from gel-infused for extra comfort and reduced heat retention. It is also designed with Brentwood’s “open cell technology” for greater airflow.

Reviews of the Brentwood 9 have been very positive, with the product receiving one of the highest average ratings. Majority of the reviewers say that it was quick to inflate, relatively firm and great to sleep on. And many of them mention that it provides excellent value and has a high-quality feel.

The Brentwood 9” is quite firm compared to other options. For many people, this firmness provides a more comfortable night’s sleep, but it isn’t the best choice for those who want a fast deforming mattress. The Brentwood 9” Gel-Infused also comes with a 25-year warranty, which is a strong indication of its durability.

3. Sleep Master 12” Pressure Relief

The Sleep Master 12” is a popular and a good quality mattress that provides soothing pressure relief. It is thicker than other options on this list, and has a three-inch upper layer.

The remainder of the mattress is made from a mixture of pressure relief foam, for a more comfortable feel, and a bottom layer of high-density foam. The bottom layer is the main reason the Sleep Master 12” is such a supportive mattress. The Sleep Master also comes with a 10-year warranty and a high-quality removable cover.

Reviews of the Sleep Master have been very positive. Many buyers say that it is easy to setup and inflated in less than half an hour. A few of them mention that it initially felt too firm, but it quickly starts to shape around the body. Other comments include that it’s a relatively cool mattress that provides excellent quality considering the price.

The Sleep Master 12” comes with a 10-year warranty. While this provides cover for a long time, it is shorter than the warranty of many others. Considering the excellent value for money, we still think the Sleep Master 12” is a great option.

4. Sleep Master 10” Green Tea

The Sleep Master 10” Green Tea is a comfortable mattress that’s built with a 2.5” top layer. The rest of it is made from high-density material. Other features include a natural resistance to dust mites, a high-quality cover and CertiPUR-US certification.

Despite the thin layer, reviewers have been impressed by the Sleep Master Green Tea’s comfort. Many people say that it only took a few minutes to inflate.

While the Sleep Master 10” Green Tea only has 2.5” of memory foam, it’s still a comfortable. The thinner top layer means that it not be suitable for heavier people.

5. Best Price Mattress

If you don’t want to spend too much on other models, the Best Price is an excellent option. It is built with a 2” top layer, 2” “Super Soft” foam layer for extra pressure relief, and 4” high-density foam layer for more support. The mattress is also CertiPUR-US certified and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Many reviewers write that it provides outstanding quality considering the low price (one of the best inexpensive options). Other positive comments include that the mattress is firm, comfortable and doesn’t have a long lasting smell.

The Best Price is a great choice if you’re on a budget. If you want the most relaxing experience, however, the thin top layer means that it can’t match the comfort of more expensive mattresses.

Conclusion

If you’ve had enough of being woken up by your partner’s tossing and turning, or just want an ideal mattress (visco also received good reviews) that doesn’t create painful pressure points, memory foam is an excellent choice. They don’t need to cost a lot of money and can greatly increase the quality of your sleep. Most are also durable and will last a long time.

Honorable Mention: It didn’t make the list back when I first wrote this article, but they Sleep Innovations has become an incredibly popular mattress with buyers. Read the full review here.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing this style of mattress. The most important are the density, ILD, thickness and durability. It’s also important to fully understand the warranty included before you buy.

If you can’t decide which one to choose, we recommend the Perfect Cloud Atlas Gel-Plus. The combination of cooling gel-infused foam and a 3” top layer make it one of the most comfortable mattresses available in its price range. It also comes with a 25-year warranty and has received excellent reviews from consumers.

Sleepridiculouslywell.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.